PhD Studentship: Leisure, Holidays and Ageing

About the project

Ageing populations are a global phenomenon and the ways in which society has changed now pose new challenges for an older population in extended working lives or early retirement and the effect of various health conditions on their leisure behaviour.  This project examines the changing behaviour of older populations and some of the challenges they face as a result of ageing.  The remit of the project is broadly defined but the successful applicant will be expected to consider a diversity of people from the general population including the extent to which time-space compression occurs as health conditions progressively worsen, given that evidence to understand this is limited.  The project will join an existing research team working on this topic based at Hertfordshire Business School and the University of Exeter Business School, building on their research studies to develop an appropriate framework to approach this topic of tourism and leisure.  It is expected that secondary and primary data collected from a diversity of people will be used to illustrate how ageing populations may substitute tourist travel with local leisure.  Knowledge and experience of using NVIVO and SPSS are highly desirable, but training can be provided for a suitable candidate.  It is also an expectation that the candidate will co-author a number of publications with the research team as the research progresses in high quality scholarly journals creating an important career path for the successful candidate.   There is also potential to work with several key organisations in this field of research.  Travel and fieldwork costs will be covered including transcription costs, as will conference attendance and staff development activities for the appointee.

Applicant requirements

Applicants should have at least an upper second-class honours degree in a relevant discipline within social science or health science. A master’s degree in a relevant field will be advantageous.

The studentship is open to UK and international applicants

How to apply

Applicants are required to provide the following documents:

• A completed application form, available for download at: http://www.herts.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/31105/uh-application-form.pdf .;
• A 2000 words research proposal;
• Two academic references;
• Copies of qualification certificates and transcripts. If these are not in English, they must be translated into English;
• Certification of English language competence (minimum IELTS 6.5 or equivalent) for candidates for whom English is not their first language.

Please send completed applications to the Doctoral College at [email protected] , using the following format in the email subject line: “Business School_studentship application_Page”.

For enquiries concerning this studentship and the Business School please contact Professor Stephen Page ([email protected]).  

Key dates

Closing date for applications: 31 May 2024

Interview dates: week beginning 17 June 2024.

Studentship start date: by mutual negotiation in 2024.